Eric Clapton Hyde Park British Summertime review: 'God' just told the nation that England will win the World Cup

A bumper 65,000 crowd turned up to watch the veteran blues singer show off his craft backed by world class musicians including bassist Nathan East and keys player Paul Carrack of Roxy Music, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics

Some say Eric Clapton is God. And if that’s the case then the man upstairs has spoken and England will win the World Cup.

“It’s coming home!" the guitarist told the crowd as he stepped onto the stage at London’s Hyde Park.

The statement sparked cheers and a few Three Lions chants amongst the crowd before 'Slowhand' got down to business with ‘Somebody’s Knocking’ and blues classics 'Key to the Highway' and 'Hoochie Coochie Man'.

It was Clapton's fourth visit to the park after first playing with Blind Faith in 1969 along with former bandmate Steve Winwood who earlier in the evening supported his old pal. Clapton returned again in 1996 and 2008.

The 73-year-old musician, who's made history as the only three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, revealed to BBC Radio 2 last year that he’s going deaf.

He also suffers from nerve damage that affects his playing so performances like last night may well be limited and perhaps explains to some fans why it was a more relaxed affair than they might have preferred.

Four numbers down and Clapton finally stepped out of his comfort zone and let rip on the funk-rock 'Got To Get Better In A Little While' - one of the highlights of the gig - which saw him and fellow guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, who cut his teeth with his late father Doyle Bramhall Sr and SRV in Austin, Texas, tear it up.

The 72-year-old musician, who's made history as the only three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, revealed to BBC Radio 2 last year that he’s going deaf (Image: Getty Images Europe)

The opening monster riff seemed to growl across the park before Clapton took the roof off the stage with his solo and Bramhall followed suit.

Clapton Unplugged was Eric's bestselling album and the bestselling live album of all time so it wasn't too long before he sat down with his acoustic guitar to deliver some of his biggest hits.

He eased into the stripped back set with 'Driftin‘' - showing off some impressive fingerwork - before playing old favourites 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out', 'Layla' and 'Tears in Heaven' with the audience in fine voice for the last three songs.

Left-handed Bramhall, who is one of the few guitarists who plays his instrument strung upside-down giving his playing a unique sound, really shone, letting the solo breathe in all the right places (Image: WireImage)

Earlier in the year when this gig was announced Clapton explained, "I'm hoping that people will come along and see me just because, or maybe more than because I'm a curiosity. I know that is part of it, because it's amazing to myself I'm still here."

Well 65,000 turned up to plug that curiosity gap and watch the veteran blues singer show off his craft backed by world class musicians including bassist Nathan East and keys player Paul Carrack of Roxy Music, Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics.

Clapton set

SET

Somebody's Knockin'

Key To The Highway

Hoochie Coochie Man

Got To Get Better In A Little While

Acoustic

Driftin‘

Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

Layla

Tears In Heaven

Lay Down Sally - with Marcy Levy

The Core - with Marcy Levy

Wonderful Tonight

Crossroads

LIttle Queen Of Spades

Cocaine

Encore

High Time We Went - with Carlos Santana

Joining him on stage was also Shakespeare's Sister singer Marcella Detroit who sang 'Lay Down Sally' and 'The Core', which she co-wrote.

Then, rather aptly, as the sun went down the instantly recognisable guitar intro to 'Wonderful Tonight' began. Couples pulled each other a little closer and the crowd sang in harmony.

Clapton closed his set with vigour and attitude on 'Crossroads' and perfection and pure magic on slow blues number 'Little Queen Of Spades'.

It was Clapton's fourth visit to the park after first playing with Blind Faith in 1969 along with former bandmate Steve Winwood who earlier in the evening supported his old pal. (Image: WireImage)

Left-handed Bramhall, who is one of the few guitarists who plays his instrument strung upside-down giving his playing a unique sound, really shone, letting the solo breathe in all the right places.

'Cocaine' got everyone jumping before Clapton brought out Carlos Santana for a stonking encore rendition of Joe Cocker's ‘High Time We Went’ joined by Carrack on vocals.

When Eric's headline slot was teased last year ‘Clapton Is God’ graffiti started appearing at various London locations (Image: COPYRIGHT holder or controlled list of names)

(Image: COPYRIGHT holder or controlled list of names)

The Sunday night headline slot for Barclaycard presents British Summertime is usually reserved for musical legends with Carole King, The Police, The Who and Paul McCartney, just some of the great musicians that have graced the stage. Last night was no different.

When Eric's headline slot was teased last year ‘Clapton Is God’ graffiti started appearing at various London locations - a throwback to the mid-60s when the words appeared on a wall in the underground station in Islington.

This Wednesday England football fans will be hoping that's definitely true because it could mean that maybe, just maybe, football really IS coming home.